Green Global
Foundation   Journal
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ASSESSMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY AND FARMER’S LIVE STYLE IN SOUTH-WESTERN BANGLADESH (Pages : 1 - 6)

The present investigation was carried out during January to June, 2015 to assess the soil fertility and farmer’s livelihood status in Kaliganj upazilla (Bharashimla and Moddho-Kalikapur) under Satkhira district and Batiaghata upazilla (Titukhali and SMRC) under Khulna district. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and N, P, K, S and Zn contents were determined to assess the fertility status in the study areas. Data concerned with livelihood status were collected using structured questionnaires. Thirty farmers were included from two upazilla (15 from each) in this study who were directly involved in agricultural farming practices. Higher EC values of soil were observed in Bharashimla, Moddho-Kalikapur and Titukhali villages except Salinity Management Research Centre (SMRC). Soil pH was found lower in Kaliganj compared to Batiaghata. Nitrogen, potassium, zinc and sulphur contents in soil were belonged to lower category in all locations. Phosphorus content was very low in Batiaghata upazilla, and lower level of phosphorus was also found in Kaliganj upazilla. In Batiaghata, most of the farmers were belonged to the age category of 41 to 50 years and education was up to primary level, represented by 60% farmers having medium family. Average annual income of majority of the farmers was around taka 36,600 with 46% of the total farmers had small farm size. In Bharashimla and Moddho-Kalikapur, most of the farmers were belonged to the age category of 31 to 40 years and 73% farmers have education up to primary level, represented by 67% farmers having medium family. Average annual income of majority of the farmers was around taka 33,700 with 47% of the total farmers had small farm size. Aman rice-til-wheat and Aman rice-mungbean-wheat were the commonly followed cropping patterns in the study areas. Vegetables, oils, fibre and pulse crops were greatly affected by salinity due to higher salinity problem in dry season. Deep tube-well was one of the main sources of fresh water forDownload